Frequently Asked Questions About the UAW

Q: Who runs the union?
Q: Who decides what will be in our contract?
Q: Does the Bargaining Committee have the right to make a final settlement with management without approval of the membership?
Q: How much are union dues?
Q: Can the union raise dues at any time?
Q: Are there any special assessments in addition to dues in the UAW?
Q: Are there initiation fees in the UAW?
Q: How are delegates selected to the Constitutional Convention?
Q. Who elects the officers to the International Union?
Q: Why do workers need unions?

Q: Who runs the union?
A: UAW members run their own union. Workers belong to their own local unions or units within a larger local. Members elect their own officers and local representatives and also control the treasury and the finances of their own local unions.

Q: Who decides what will be in our contract?
A: UAW members decide what issues are covered in a UAW contract. Workers in that specific work site elect a bargaining committee to negotiate with their employer.

The workers have access to the resources and support of the International Union - including attorneys, financial analysts, health care and pension specialists, health and safety experts, and others who help workers stand on equal footing with employers.
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Q: Does the Bargaining Committee have the right to make a final settlement with management without approval of the membership?
A: No.

In the UAW before any settlement becomes final, it must be presented to the full membership for their acceptance or rejection.

During negotiations, the bargaining committee will make periodic reports on the progress of contract talks. It is up to the members, however, to make final decisions.

All UAW contracts must be approved by majority vote.

A typical UAW-negotiated agreement includes: wages, health care, pensions and/or retirement benefits, transfer rights, job postings, a grievance procedure, health and safety, time off, holidays, vacation, etc.
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Q: How much are union dues?
A: UAW dues are two hours of straight-time pay per month.

This structure, which helps support the union based on workers' ability to pay, has served UAW members well and has not changed since 1967.

When will I be required to pay union dues?

Not until after workers at their site negotiate and a majority votes to accept their first contract.
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Q: Can the union raise dues at any time?
A: No.
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Union dues can only be raised if workers vote to raise dues at a membership meeting of their local, or by delegates from their facility or local, to the International Union Convention.
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Q: Are there any special assessments in addition to dues in the UAW?
A: No.

The UAW Constitution does not allow for collecting any special assessments.
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Q: Are there initiation fees in the UAW?
A: It is the policy of the UAW to waive initiation fees for all newly organized members who join the union before 30 days after the signing of the initial contract.

The initiation fees described above would only apply to new hires who join the UAW after a first contract is in place. The initiation fee for those workers is determined by the local union and is a minimum of $10.00 and a maximum of $50.00.
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Q: How are delegates selected to the Constitutional Convention?
A: Members elect the delegates.

The Constitutional Convention is the highest decision making body of the UAW.

The Convention meets once every four years, with delegates elected from each local union.
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Q. Who elects the officers to the International Union?
A: Officers are elected by delegates to the Constitutional Convention and, as noted above, delegates are elected from their respective Local Unions.

The President, Secretary Treasurer and Vice Presidents are elected by all delegates.

The director of each UAW region is elected by delegates from that region.
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Q: Why do workers need unions?
A: Every individual has plenty to contribute when it comes to solving problems at work.

But a single voice can easily be ignored.

Joining together to make things better is a proud and democratic American tradition, from the patriots who started our country, to the tens of millions of people who belong to religious groups, civic associations, and professional organizations.

Employers pay dues to the Chamber of Commerce and other associations that represent the interest of business to governments. Millions of American workers have chosen to join a union, in order to have a voice in the workplace, and to be part of an organization that stands for working families.
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